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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Sept 3, 2008 14:56:29 GMT -5
Ahhhh, sweet alcohol. The cure for what ails you, unless of course what ails you is alcohol. What was ailing Edmund at that moment, however, was something that could only have two cures. One of them was the sweet oblivion that only alcohol could bring. The other was some sort of temporary, empty female companionship. And truthfully, neither of things were a cure. They were just a balm, a temporary fix to distract him from what he really wanted.
Claire. Damn Claire. Impossible, incredible, inscrutable, unattainable Claire. How he hated her... and yet... didn't. Perhaps it was true what they said about karma, because Claire seemed to have become the albatross hanging around his neck, the one he just couldn't seem to shake. She was always just so close, and yet so far. She was going to drive him mad!
What did he feel for her? Was it lust? Was it desire? Was it... dare he think the word... love? Would he lose interest once he had her (and make no mistake, he would have her)? He didn't even know. He was getting confused... a curious sensation he was not accustomed to feeling. He was Edmund Fairfax, ladies' man, and he didn't get confused over women. That was for romantic fools. Not for him. But was it really just the thrill of the chase that had him so obsessed with her?
He took a long sip from his glass of firewhiskey, wishing that its warmth could bring him the answers to these questions. Or at least silence them, for a little while.
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Post by Joanne Massey on Sept 3, 2008 15:35:36 GMT -5
Joanne looked around her apartment. It was bland, and she could afford to stay somewhere nicer, but this apartment would do right now. It wasn't like she spent all her time in it anyway, so it didn't matter.
Slipping on a cute outfit, Joanne decided that tonight would be a night out, just like all her other nights. She couldn't remember a night that she actually stayed the entire night at her apartmnet. She usually ended up at some other place.
Joanne made sure that her hair had just the right about of bouncy curl to it and slipped on her shoes. One last glance in the mirror, perfect she thought after adding a touch of red lipstick. A smirk fell across her face and she walked out the door.
Where to go? Where to go? The club was starting to become a bore. All the guys the same. They wanted some, and a few usually got it, but that was a different story. The Hog's Head might be a better place. More drunkards went in, and it was usually easier with them than anyone. Walking into the Hog's Head, her head held high, she walked up to the bar and ordered whatever the bartender was in the mood to give her.
As she turned to glance at her possibilities, her eyes landed on one gentleman in particular. He seemed like he was alone. Damn, he was nice looking. Once again, perfect, just perfect. A smirk tugged at the corners of her lips as she continued to look at him, however, when he would glance up, she would look at him a split second longer, only to glance away slowly.
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Sept 3, 2008 15:55:34 GMT -5
Edmund tilted his head back and poured about half of his glass down his throat. As he did, he caught a flash of dark hair standing tantalizingly close to him. Ahhhh... so the second cure had arrived...
He glanced over and saw that she was looking at him, but playing coy. She looked away just as soon as he caught her eye. Lovely. Maybe the night could be salvaged after all. To hell with Claire.
The girl was quite pretty, with the delicate features of a china doll, and sparkling eyes. He surveyed her carefully a moment, taking in her clothes, her hair that was curled in such a way as to look as if she'd spent no time on it, and her pouty red lips. Yes, to hell with Claire.
"You look like you could use a drink," he said, flashing her his most charming smile.
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Post by Joanne Massey on Sept 3, 2008 16:10:02 GMT -5
Joanne glanced back to the gentleman, only to see that he was looking back at her. She tried to fight a grin that threatened to cross her face. Oh, this was going to be easy.
She looked away again and took an interest in the bar. She ran his features through her mind. What was a guy like him, single? Joanne didn't know the answer to that question, until he spoke.
Joanne glanced up to him and realized his height. She let a smile play on her lips as she looked up. She had to admit, his smile was nice looking, just like the rest of him. "I don't let strangers buy me drinks," she said with a wink.
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Sept 3, 2008 21:17:35 GMT -5
Edmund bowed his head slightly at her words. She was a feisty one, that was certain. He liked it. Pushing all thoughts of Claire to the back of his mind, he winked back at the woman. "Do forgive me," he said smoothly. "I was hardly behaving like a gentleman. Allow me to rectify the situation." He set down his glass and extended his hand to her in greeting. "My name is Edmund Fairfax. And who might you be?"
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Post by Joanne Massey on Sept 3, 2008 21:28:07 GMT -5
A small laughed escaped Joanne. Smooth. She had to hand it to him, he knew how to speak to a woman. That was cute.
She found herself still smiling as he extended his hand. Joanne looked from his hand to his face and back again, only to extend her own hand and shook his. "Joanne. Joanne Massey. It's nice to meet you Mr. Fairfax." She removed her hand and placed it on the bar. "What is a gentleman like you doing in a place like this alone?"
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Sept 4, 2008 21:47:19 GMT -5
Edmund smiled. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Joanne, if I may be so bold. I'll admit, this particular locale is hardly my first choice of watering holes, but sometimes, after a day of frustration and misery, you'll take the first port in a storm. But it appears my luck is looking up, because you decided to walk in." He leaned his elbow against the bar and signaled with his other hand to the bartender to fill up his glass. Looking at Joanne, he cocked his eyebrow at her. "Whatever the lady wants is on me."
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Post by Joanne Massey on Sept 4, 2008 22:05:57 GMT -5
The bartender filled a shot glass of firewhiskey and Joanne gave a small nod to him in thanks. She turned her attention to Edmund, only to raise one of her dark brown eyebrows. "So I'm your luck for the night," she asked putting a hand around her shot glass.
This was going to be entertaining to say the least. A gentleman that was slightly different. He had a way with words, and that could get him somewhere, unlike the other ones who just tried to force themselves on her without words.
"It's a relief actually to see you in here Edmund. I don't usually come in here to much, but it's nice to see a more, respectable type of gentleman here than what is normally here."
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Sept 4, 2008 22:34:32 GMT -5
Taking a tiny, elegant sip from his shot glass, he regarded her coolly, as if he were utterly disinterested. Of course, he was anything but disinterested. Sure, she wasn't Claire. But hell... she was lovely enough to make him forget that fact for a little while, anyway. And strangely, it was actually easier to talk to this woman than it was to talk to Claire. With Claire, it was harder to lie, because she knew him better.
Damn Claire. He was not going to think about her.
"Yes, my dear, I think you are just the luck I was hoping for," he replied. "Perhaps it was fate that drew us both together in such an unlikely place."
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Post by Joanne Massey on Sept 5, 2008 6:50:51 GMT -5
"Ah, fate," she said, "it is a funny thing. Horrible sometimes, yes, but yet somehow everything works out in the end." A smirk started to form again. "Maybe fate is being kind to us for tonight." Joanne turned up her shot glass, drinking its content.
"If you don't mind my asking, why were you hoping for luck tonight?" Joanne asked as if she were interested in knowing the reason why he was here. Hell, she didn't really care but what's an attempt to get him to take her away tonight if there wasn't any talking? That would be pretty much pointless, in her opinion anyway.
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Sept 6, 2008 18:01:43 GMT -5
Edmund hesitated, pausing to take a sip from his glass to cover the silence as he pondered the question. This was one of those situations where a little finesse--and possibly an outright lie--was necessary. He couldn't bloody well tell the truth. He could just picture it... Because I couldn't get lucky somewhere else. Yes, that would go over really well. He might as well just tell her straight out that he was only interested in her as a replacement for the woman he really wanted. Damn Claire.
Setting his glass back down on the bartop, he smiled at her. "Well, as I mentioned earlier, I've had a fairly bad day. Happily, my evening seems now to be looking up. But tell me, what exactly brings you to a place like this, anyway?"
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Post by Joanne Massey on Sept 7, 2008 15:33:25 GMT -5
Joanne arched her eyebrow. Evidently, he didn't want to really talk about it, and Joanne wasn't about to push it. She wasn't going to push him away. "A girl has to get out every now and again doesn't she? Besides, the club has been becoming a bore. Same people all the time. I needed to see a different varity. Besides, the drinks here are stronger, unlike the club's which are watered down."
She gave him a smirk before having her glass refilled. "And I have to say that already, I'm having a better time here than I've had in the club."
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Sept 18, 2008 21:03:20 GMT -5
Edmund smiled. "Well, I know what you mean about the club. It's always so bright and loud... all the same people hanging about. And while the ambience of the Hog's Head may leave a little to be desired, it does have its own special... benefits. And you never know who you might run into here, after all. It just so happens that tonight might be a lucky night for the both of us, Joanne." He winked at her and leaned casually against one elbow.
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Post by Joanne Massey on Sept 18, 2008 21:16:42 GMT -5
Joanne smiled. "I couldn't agree with you more." Joanne was a girl that could hold her alcohol, and it usually took several glasses before she became drunk. As she casually motioned for her glass to be refilled once again, she 'accidentally' brushed her arm against his. She played it off as if it was nothing that happened.
This time, she was going to make her glass full last a little bit longer. "So, tell me a little bit about yourself Mr. Fairfax."
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Sept 18, 2008 21:36:53 GMT -5
Edmund caught the movement and had to bite back a suggestive remark. Not that he didn't think she could take it. In fact, there was something about this girl that told him she was more than capable of giving as well as she got. But it was too soon. He wanted to charm her, to woo her. To do everything Claire wouldn't let him do. In the span of an hour or two, anyway.
"About me?" he said, smirking. "Let's see... My family is one of the oldest, richest families of purebloods in Europe. I live on a palatial estate in Northern England. We even have a knighthood in the family name. But really... I'm just a regular guy." He winked.
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Post by Joanne Massey on Sept 18, 2008 21:47:16 GMT -5
Joanne had to admit. That was pretty impressive. His family was rich like hers, and a pureblood. It also didn't hurt that he was a charmer. This was the kind of guy that was the most fun. They tried to be smooth all the time, but if they could pull it off then Joanne was set.
"Pretty impressive," she commented. Sure, she could boost his ego a little bit. There was nothing wrong with it, as long as he didn't take it over his head. "A regular guy hm? That's nice as well." She gave him a flirtatious wink. At least he hadn't forced himself on her. That was another point in his favor.
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Sept 26, 2008 14:46:03 GMT -5
He could tell she was getting deeper under his spell by the minute, as he continued to woo her with words. Now, he decided, it was time for a little more than words. He moved a little closer to her and took his hands on hers. "I know there's no music, but would you like to dance?" he said, raising his eyebrow at her. "I could supply a little music, if you'd like."
Waving his wand, he conjured a grand piano from no where, complete with a little man playing the keys. The spell was extremely complex and he wouldn't be able to hold it longer than one song, so he had to make it count.
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Post by Joanne Massey on Sept 26, 2008 17:07:10 GMT -5
Dancing was always interesting. As of late, Joanne hadn't met any guys that were the world's best dancers. She herself wasn't the best, but she did know a bit. Thanks of course to her family.
A small laugh escaped her as she saw a little man at the piano. "Once again Mr. Fairfax, that is pretty impressive." He did have his way with words and actions. "I do believe I will take your offer on dancing."
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Oct 19, 2008 23:31:51 GMT -5
Edmund gave a small bow, then took her hand, spinning her around. He liked the more formal, structured dances, because it created the illusion of intimacy. The steps were often difficult to master for those who weren't used to them, but a skilled partner, such as himself, could make the actual steps irrelevant and natural. This is what he did with her, guiding her through the dance almost effortlessly. As he did, he kept his eyes locked on hers, never flinching in his gaze. His deep, intense eyes could seduce a woman without a single word.
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Post by Joanne Massey on Oct 20, 2008 8:31:47 GMT -5
Joanne smiled as they started to dance. It was hard to find a decent dance partner, but so far, Edmund proved that there were still men that knew how to dance. She moved along with his steps without any effort. Finally, there was someone that she could just flow with while they danced.
She didn't bother to look away from him. Joanne found that she was starting to lose herself in his eyes.
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